Lisa enrolled on Maths, British Sign Language (BSL), and Like Minds Arts and Crafts courses, each offering something different but equally rewarding. Maths helped her gain confidence in a subject she once found challenging, while BSL opened up a new way to communicate with a close friend who is deaf. Through Like Minds, she found a creative outlet and a supportive space to explore mental health and wellbeing.
As her confidence grew, Lisa began taking on new challenges outside the classroom. With encouragement from AEW staff, she started volunteering to support the student services team, helping at reception and during open day events. This experience soon became one of her proudest achievements.
Volunteering gave Lisa the opportunity to develop her communication skills, meet new people, and discover how capable she truly was. She found joy in welcoming new learners, offering advice, and being a friendly face for others who might be nervous about starting their own journey. The positive feedback she received from staff and visitors reminded her just how far she had come.
Her advice to others thinking about joining AEW is simple: Give it a go - you might surprise yourself with what you can achieve.
Lisa describes her experience at AEW in three words: Polite, Caring and Helpful.